ITC Business Council – Ava Janikowski

Ava Janikowski- Member of the Business Council for Sustainability and Environment

Ava Janikowski stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the international architectural landscape. As the Director of Chase Architecture, she has carved a niche in designing sustainable hotels and resorts globally, with a particular emphasis on harmony between development and environmental preservation. With over 30 years of experience, her journey began at IBI, the world’s largest multidisciplinary firm, where she honed her skills as an associate architect.

Ava’s educational background is as impressive as her career trajectory. She holds a Master’s in Urban Design and a Bachelor of Architecture, alongside certifications that include Permaculture Design. Her professional affiliations with esteemed organizations such as the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) underscore her commitment to excellence in her field.

Throughout her career, Ava has been instrumental in several key projects that have significantly contributed to her success. Notably, her involvement in the master planning for Montreal Forum with IBI and her pioneering work on sustainable resorts in Muskoka, Ontario, stand out. Perhaps her most notable achievement is the transformation of 135 acres of Costa Rican cow pasture and jungle into a nucleus for a future national park. This project, which also includes an organic permaculture farm and resort under construction, is envisioned as a blueprint for sustainable land use next to wilderness areas.

Ava’s professional journey is marked by her commitment to eco-responsibility, long before eco resorts became a recognized segment in the industry. Her travels around the globe, from Patagonia to Thailand, were driven by a quest to study and understand the best examples of responsible tourism.

The challenges Ava identifies in her industry revolve around the growing segment of eco-luxury tourism and the imperative of ensuring that the influx of funds from tourism is utilized responsibly to protect remote locations while ensuring local community participation and benefit.

Looking ahead, Ava envisions an industry that leans more towards responsible tourism and the strategic planning of small eco-luxury resorts to protect wilderness areas. She is excited about the trends of local community participation and the role of education in preventing migration from fragile areas to urban centers.

For those aspiring to enter her field, Ava advises travel and learning from the world’s best practices in responsible tourism. Her approach to setbacks and challenges involves persistence and a focus on educating and empowering communities around the world’s last wilderness areas.

Outside of her professional life, Ava’s interests include herbalism, permaculture, and yoga, reflecting her deep commitment to sustainability and well-being.

Ava Janikowski’s work and vision represent a profound contribution to the field of architecture and sustainability, embodying the principles of the Sustainability and Environment Business Council of the International Trade Council. Her leadership at Chase Architecture not only shapes the physical world but also inspires a more sustainable and conscious approach to development.